CENTRAL TRANSDANUBIA (Includes the counties Komárom-Esztergom, Fejér and Veszprém)
Central Transdanubia welcomes its visitors with unique and special harmony of its colourful diversity. The distinguished, exciting patchwork of its natural treasures, historical and cultural values and folklore, offers varied and enriching activities for all visitors.
The region streches from the Danube to Lake Balaton with the enchanting countryside of the ancient block-mountain range of Transdanubia in the northwest, divided here into the Gerecse, the Vertes and the Bakony Hills.
As we journey through the hills we can admire the splendid natural treasures and historic monuments, as well as small villages nestling in the valleys.
River valleys, low basins, and gently rolling hilly areas make up the countryside, so varied in its geographical and climatic attributes, history and population. The peaceful villages in picturesque settings are attractive places for rural holidays, while the forests rich in game and the well-stocked lakes invite hunters and anglers.
A great number of archeological sites show that the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and it already boasted a network of roads 2000 years ago. In almost every corner of Central Transdanubia several-hundred-year-old monuments are tangible proof that from generation to generation the people of this region have inherited the desire to create something of lasting value.
Wooded hills and valleys of the Bakony and Vértes, gentle slopes lined with grapevines in Balatonfelvidék (Balaton Upland) and on Somló Hill make the landscape varied.
Once a cradle of Hungary's foundation the area has two royal cities Székesfehérvár and Veszprém. In fact Veszprém is titled the Town of Queens after Gizella, wife of Hungary's first king St Stephen (-1038), who established a the country's first cathedral here.
Zirc boasts with a medieval abbey founded by the Cistercian order and a botanic garden with some old trees, bushes and other plants.
The small town of Pápa has many cultural sights: churches, museums, baroques houses and the palace built by the Eszterházy family in 1784. In the thermal bath complex you can enjoy a range of recreational, health and fitness facilites.
Sümeg's most notable attraction is the fortress which is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Hungary.
It hosts a variety of events: medieval jousting tournaments, exhibitons, theatrical performances.
In Central Transdanubia you'll find world-famous examples of Hungarian arts and craftwork. In the procelain manufacture and museum in Herend you can watch the brilliant handmade porcelains in the making.
Whether you want to go fishing, sailing, kayaking, rowing, wakebording or just lying on the beach and enjoying the sunshine, you can do all these things at Lake Velence. Reedbed islands and marshlands provide habitat for numerous protected animals and plants. You can go for bird-watching at Dinnyés. Some sport events of international importance also take place at Lake Velence: fishing competition, rowing championship.
The wooded hills of Bakony, Vértes or Gerecse are excellent for hiking or hunting. The forests give home to deer, wild boar, mouflon and to lots of bird species.
The varied landscape of tree-covered slopes, misty valleys, karst formations, caves and old fortress ruins account for the wildly romantic feel in this areas.
A section of the Danube forms the western border of Central Transdanubia providing opportunity for fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
Somló Wine Region
You can discover the Hungary's smallest wine region on four wine tours each leading you to Somló Castle: St Margaret Wine Tour, St Ilona Wine Tour, Hegykút Wine Tour and St Martin Wine tour.
Only white grape varieties are grown on the volcanic slopes: furmint, hárslevelű (linden-leaf) , juhfark, traminer.
Ászár-Neszmély
Lying northwest of Budapest on the slopes of the Gerecse Hill and bordered by the Danube this wine region has a special climate favourable to produce excellent whites.
Main grape varieties grown here are: Chardonnay, Olaszrizling, Sauvignon Blanc and Királyleányka.
Mór
The area lies between the Vértes and Bakony Hills. A national variety called Ezerjó, now a Hungaricum, is the most famous wine produced in this region.
This highly acidic white wine is best enjoyed after at least two years of the harvest. On the St. George Week's Cheerfulness festival in April you can taste local dishes and wines, enjoy concerts and dance performances.
Mushroom, wild duck and other game living in the forrests make Hungarian cooking in the Central Transdanubian region uniquely varied.In restaurants in and around the Bakony Hills you're likely to find dishes made in Bakony-style, with mushrooms and sour cream, including soups and main dishes.
Around the Danube you must try Fishermen's soup.